The Washington Nationals are breathing down the first-place Braves’ necks in the NL East race but the Colorado Rockies gave the Braves a little breathing room Thursday night.
The Rockies beat the Nationals 8-7 in Washington, handing the idle Braves a half-game gain in the standings. The Braves lead the Nats by 4 ½ games and the third-place Phillies, who did not play Thursday, by 5 1/2.
Division standings
The Nationals are 36-16 since a 19-31 start and won both games of a day-night doubleheader Wednesday. The Braves, meanwhile, have lost two in a row and six of their last eight games.
Max Scherzer, who had been sidelined by inflammation under his right shoulder, started for Washington and went just five innings due to a strict pitch limit. He allowed three runs and four hits while matching his shortest outing of the season. The three-time Cy Young Award winner struck out eight, increasing his NL-leading total to 189.
The Nationals open a three-game home series with the NL West-leading Dodgers Friday. The Braves play three games this weekend at Philadelphia.
